**Russia Relaxes Airspace Restrictions: Gelendzhik Airport to Reopen for Domestic Flights**
In a rare move, Russia has announced that it will reopen the Gelendzhik Airport in Krasnodar Krai on July 18. This decision comes just days after nearly 500 flights were grounded across major Russian airports due to security threats from Ukrainian drone attacks.
The airport had been shut down since February 2022, along with 10 other southern airports. The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport is a significant easing of airspace restrictions imposed at the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. It will become only the second airport in the region to resume operations, after Elista Airport reopened in May.
**Security Concerns and Drone Attacks**
The decision to reopen Gelendzhik Airport has been made despite ongoing security concerns due to Ukrainian drone attacks. The region of Krasnodar Krai, located along the Black Sea and bordering Georgia and occupied Ukraine, has been repeatedly targeted by these attacks. Infrastructure such as oil depots and airfields have been hit in recent months.
Ukrainian officials have stated that their drone operations aim to disrupt logistics and bring the consequences of the war closer to the Russian population. However, Kyiv has not officially taken responsibility for the disruptions in Russian air traffic.
**Pressure on Moscow’s Transport Sector**
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport follows mounting pressure on Moscow’s transport sector. President Vladimir Putin dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit just days ago, after a series of setbacks including airport shutdowns and an ammonia leak at the Ust-Luga port. The sudden dismissal has raised questions about the stability of Russia’s transportation system.
**What This Means**
The reopening of Gelendzhik Airport is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It highlights the challenges faced by Moscow in maintaining its transport infrastructure despite security concerns. As the war continues to escalate, we can expect to see more disruptions to air traffic and other critical infrastructure.
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